Weekly inflation measured by the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) jumped by nearly 31 per cent as compared to last year. The SPI is computed on a weekly basis to assess the price movement of essential commodities at short intervals. Data showed a massive variance in prices of some essential commodities in four provinces. A 20kg wheat flour bag cost Rs2,880 in Hyderabad while it cost about Rs1,295 in Punjab. The SPI as of January 5 this year was up 33pc for the expenditure group between Rs29,500 to Rs44,175 per month.
During the week, prices of 23 out of 51 items increased, nine items decreased and 19 items remained stable. A major increase was observed in the prices of food items led by chicken with 16.09pc, broken Basmati rice (5.16pc) and bananas (2.97pc).
